Thumbs down: Right out of the gate, Elizabeth City’s newly seated elected officials couldn’t come together to agree on who should be mayor pro-tem. Council split 4/4 and Mayor Joe Peel refused to break the tie, saying the city charter prohibits him from voting on the mayor pro-tem selection. Subsequently, council postponed the decision until January. We are extremely disappointed in both the council, which looks headed for the same fractious, petty jockeying for power as the previous group, and in the new mayor, who showed a lack of leadership by not putting a deadline on council to resolve the choice, even if the charter precludes him from breaking the tie. Past mayors have allowed the selection of the mayor pro-tem to drag on for several months. It’s a distraction over a mostly ceremonial position, keeping council from focusing on more important issues facing the city. We do give a thumbs up to new councilor Ray Donnelly, who voted against tabling the selection. We need more leaders willing to be willing to take care of business with sense of urgency.

Thumbs up: Congratulations and good luck to the graduates of Elizabeth City State University’s 153rd commencement. Getting into college is just a first step. Earning a degree requires commitment, focus and hard work.

Thumbs up: Whatever the field of play, local student athletes continue to show a level of skill that earns them recognition statewide and beyond. Perquimans High School star Quinyotta Pettaway is hitting her stride at Clemson University this season, leading the Lady Tigers in rebounds and scoring 10.8 points a game. More than 20 high school stars are making names for themselves at the next level in football, volleyball, soccer and basketball.

Thumbs up/Thumbs down: From Angel Trees to Toy Drives, it seems more businesses and nonprofits are trying harder than ever to fill the stockings of area children this holiday season. Hoffer Flow, the Elizabeth City Area Chamber of Commerce, the Albemarle Health Emergency Department and Pasquotank-Camden Emergency Medical Services, the Elizabeth City Police Department, the Currituck County Department of Social Services and of course the Salvation Army are among the groups collecting toys. Sadly, these efforts speak to the extent of the need during these difficult financial times for so many. The Salvation Army reported that donations to their kettle drive are running ahead of last year, but toy collections are short of their goal. In this season of giving, everyone with the means to help out should contribute something.

Thumbs up: Our region’s growing cultural scene has never been more vibrant than during this holiday season. Home tours, chorale groups, plays and variety shows abound to keep us all in high spirits. From the recent performances of “Christmas on Main’ at the Maguire Theater in Elizabeth City, to Edenton’s Candlelight Homes Tour, to the traveling production of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” at College of the Albemarle, there’s no bah humbug about it, ‘tis the season to be jolly.

Thumbs down: In two separate incidents, a family pet lost its life to gunshot wounds. In one case in Hertford, a young Labrador retriever was shot with a shotgun in the face and head, which lead to its death. The shooting looks like an act of vengeance, as the dog’s owner and the shooter have a history of being at odds. The shooter has been charged with felony cruelty to animals. In the second case, thieves who broke into a family’s home in Elizabeth City shot and killed the family’s mixed breed dog, Daisy. Such senseless acts of cruelty are especially sad during the season of peace and hope.

Thumbs up: Teen court will soon be back in session in Perquimans County thanks to Rebecca Martin, an alternative education counselor in Perquimans schools who sought and received a grant from the Governor’s Crime Commission to restart the program.

Teen courts, a national program, are designed to give first-time offenders of minor crimes the chance to avoid the legal system.

Students charged with a misdemeanor must admit guilt and will be sentenced by their peers. If they comply with the punishment, their crime will not appear on their permanent record. District Attorney Frank Parrish applauds the program. Kudos to the 35 student volunteers who will act as defense, prosecution and jury for the program.